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Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas

ca. 1520–25
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 950
In Renaissance Italy, fine maiolica was often associated with the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere of the country estate, where hospitality was generally overseen by women. This plate belongs to a service commissioned by Eleonora Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, as a gift for her mother, Isabella d’Este, Marchioness of Mantua. On all the known pieces, Isabella's arms are joined with those of her husband, Gianfrancesco Gonzaga. The arms are frequently accompanied by mottoes and heraldic or personal badges belonging to Isabella or her husband. Twenty-one pieces of the service survive, all decorated by the greatest maiolica painter of the sixteenth century, Nicola da Urbino. The center of this dish shows Isabella's coat of arms surrounded by three of her personal emblems: a musical scroll, a candelabrum with one lit candle, and a bunch of lottery tickets. On the rim is a portrayal of the musical contest between Apollo and Pan judged by King Midas, a subject recounted in Ovid's "Metamorphoses." The subtle coloring and delicate execution of the expansive landscape setting reveal the artist's consummate skill. Another piece from this service is also in the Robert Lehman Collection.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas
  • Artist: Nicola da Urbino (Italian, active by 1520–died ?1537/38 Urbino)
  • Date: ca. 1520–25
  • Medium: Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
  • Dimensions: Diam. 10 13/16 in. (27.5 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1019
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Armorial Plate: Silenus on an ass, supported by Bacchic revelers, Nicola da Urbino or Castel Durante Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Armorial Plate: Silenus on an ass, supported by Bacchic revelers
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1520–25
Large Dish (tagliere): Pope Leo X presenting a baton to Federigo II Gonzaga, marquis of Mantua, on his appointment as captain general of the Church in 1521., Nicola da Urbino Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Large Dish (tagliere): Pope Leo X presenting a baton to Federigo II Gonzaga, marquis of Mantua, on his appointment as captain general of the Church in 1521.
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1525–30
Plate (one of a pair), Nicola da Urbino Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Castel Durante
Plate (one of a pair)
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1525 or later
Plate (piatto): The story of Aeneas, Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Plate (piatto): The story of Aeneas
Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo
1532
Armorial dish: Supper at the House of Simon the Pharisee, Maestro Giorgio Andreoli Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Armorial dish: Supper at the House of Simon the Pharisee
Maestro Giorgio Andreoli
1528

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